Patents by Inventor Scott Varnhagen

Scott Varnhagen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10752225
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions may include generating, at a host vehicle, a roadway friction map by: detecting a velocity change of a target vehicle; calculating friction data based on the velocity change; and storing the friction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Varnhagen
  • Patent number: 10703359
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to predict, based at least in part on a stored road topology for a predetermined vehicle route, a vehicle body orientation based on lateral, longitudinal, and vertical accelerations predicted for the route. The computer is programmed to, based on the predicted vehicle body orientation, adjust at least one of an orientation of the vehicle body and an orientation of an object in the vehicle as the vehicle traverses the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Varnhagen, Schuyler Cohen, Johannes Strom, Ghassan Atmeh, Alice Kassar
  • Patent number: 10077054
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking objects within a dynamic environment for improved localization. Sensing devices are utilized to gather data about a vehicle's environment. In cases where the sensor data has become degraded, such as data indicating that lane lines have become degraded, obscured, or nonexistent, the vehicle computer system uses previously detected sensor data to estimate the speed and direction of travel of moving objects. The computer system then estimates the location of the moving objects after a specified period of time based on the estimated speed and direction of the moving object. The computer system utilizes this information to localize the vehicle within the dynamic environment and to control the configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bibhrajit Halder, Scott Varnhagen
  • Patent number: 10065636
    Abstract: A vehicle and associated method for calculating tire saturation is provided. The method may include the stability control computer calculating slip ratio and longitudinal force for the tire, calculating tire longitudinal stiffness by dividing longitudinal force by slip ratio, calculating tire saturation from tire longitudinal stiffness, and the stability control computer altering dynamic control of the vehicle based on calculated tire saturation. The stability control computer may calculate tire saturation from a tire saturation membership function which includes a first tire longitudinal stiffness value representing an unsaturated tire, a second tire longitudinal stiffness value representing a saturated tire, and a function line connecting the first tire longitudinal stiffness value to the second tire longitudinal stiffness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Varnhagen, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20180222462
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor. The instructions may include generating, at a host vehicle, a roadway friction map by: detecting a velocity change of a target vehicle; calculating friction data based on the velocity change; and storing the friction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Varnhagen
  • Publication number: 20180215373
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to predict, based at least in part on a stored road topology for a predetermined vehicle route, a vehicle body orientation based on lateral, longitudinal, and vertical accelerations predicted for the route. The computer is programmed to, based on the predicted vehicle body orientation, adjust at least one of an orientation of the vehicle body and an orientation of an object in the vehicle as the vehicle traverses the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Varnhagen, Schuyler Cohen, Johannes Strom, Ghassan Atmeh, Alice Kassar
  • Publication number: 20170369050
    Abstract: A vehicle and associated method for calculating tire saturation is provided. The method may include the stability control computer calculating slip ratio and longitudinal force for the tire, calculating tire longitudinal stiffness by dividing longitudinal force by slip ratio, calculating tire saturation from tire longitudinal stiffness, and the stability control computer altering dynamic control of the vehicle based on calculated tire saturation. The stability control computer may calculate tire saturation from a tire saturation membership function which includes a first tire longitudinal stiffness value representing an unsaturated tire, a second tire longitudinal stiffness value representing a saturated tire, and a function line connecting the first tire longitudinal stiffness value to the second tire longitudinal stiffness value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Varnhagen, Ming Lang Kuang
  • Publication number: 20170217434
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking objects within a dynamic environment for improved localization. Sensing devices are utilized to gather data about a vehicle's environment. In cases where the sensor data has become degraded, such as data indicating that lane lines have become degraded, obscured, or nonexistent, the vehicle computer system uses previously detected sensor data to estimate the speed and direction of travel of moving objects. The computer system then estimates the location of the moving objects after a specified period of time based on the estimated speed and direction of the moving object. The computer system utilizes this information to localize the vehicle within the dynamic environment and to control the configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Bibhrajit Halder, Scott Varnhagen
  • Publication number: 20170217433
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking objects within a dynamic environment for improved localization. Sensing devices are utilized to gather data about a vehicle's environment. In cases where the sensor data has become degraded, such as data indicating that lane lines have become degraded, obscured, or nonexistent, the vehicle computer system uses previously detected sensor data to estimate the speed and direction of travel of moving objects. The computer system then estimates the location of the moving objects after a specified period of time based on the estimated speed and direction of the moving object. The computer system utilizes this information to localize the vehicle within the dynamic environment and to control the configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Bibhrajit Halder, Scott Varnhagen
  • Patent number: 9707961
    Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for tracking objects within a dynamic environment for improved localization. Sensing devices are utilized to gather data about a vehicle's environment. In cases where the sensor data has become degraded, such as data indicating that lane lines have become degraded, obscured, or nonexistent, the vehicle computer system uses previously detected sensor data to estimate the speed and direction of travel of moving objects. The computer system then estimates the location of the moving objects after a specified period of time based on the estimated speed and direction of the moving object. The computer system utilizes this information to localize the vehicle within the dynamic environment and to control the configuration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bibhrajit Halder, Scott Varnhagen